Why Finding the Right Doctor for Yervoy Matters

Yervoy (ipilimumab) is a powerful immunotherapy drug used to treat several types of cancer, including melanoma, kidney cancer, and lung cancer. But unlike everyday medications, Yervoy cannot be prescribed by just any doctor. It requires a specialist who understands cancer treatment and can monitor you closely for serious side effects.

If you or a loved one has been told that Yervoy may be the right treatment, the next step is finding a qualified prescriber near you. This guide walks you through exactly how to do that in 2026.

Which Doctors Can Prescribe Yervoy?

Yervoy is typically prescribed by doctors who specialize in cancer care. The most common specialties include:

• Medical oncologists — These are the primary prescribers. They specialize in treating cancer with drugs like chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
• Hematology-oncologists — Doctors who treat both blood disorders and solid tumors.
• Surgical oncologists — They may recommend Yervoy as adjuvant therapy after melanoma surgery.
• Dermatologists (melanoma specialists) — Some dermatologists who focus on skin cancer may initiate Yervoy referrals.
• Pulmonologists — For malignant pleural mesothelioma cases.
• Gastroenterologists — For hepatocellular carcinoma or colorectal cancer indications.

In most cases, a medical oncologist will be your main prescriber and will oversee your treatment plan.

How to Get a Referral for Yervoy Treatment

Most patients cannot go directly to an oncologist without a referral. Here's how the process typically works:

1. Start with your primary care doctor. Share your diagnosis or concerns. They can refer you to the right specialist.
2. Ask about cancer centers. Many areas have cancer treatment centers affiliated with major hospitals that have experience with immunotherapy drugs like Yervoy.
3. Check your insurance network. Before scheduling, confirm that the oncologist and the infusion center are in your insurance network. Yervoy is covered under Medicare Part B and most commercial plans, but prior authorization is usually required.
4. Contact Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support. BMS offers a support line at 1-800-861-0048 that can help connect you with treatment centers experienced in administering Yervoy.

What to Look for in a Yervoy Prescriber

Not all oncologists have the same level of experience with immunotherapy. When choosing a doctor, consider these factors:

• Experience with checkpoint inhibitors. Yervoy is a CTLA-4 inhibitor, and it's often used in combination with nivolumab (Opdivo). Ask if the doctor has prescribed these drugs before.
• Access to an infusion center. Yervoy is given by IV infusion over 30 to 90 minutes. The doctor's office or hospital should have an infusion center equipped for this.
• Ability to manage immune-mediated side effects. Yervoy can cause serious immune-related side effects that require fast action. Your doctor should have protocols in place for these situations.
• Multidisciplinary team. The best cancer centers have teams that include nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and financial counselors who can help throughout treatment.

Online Tools to Find Oncologists Near You

Several online resources can help you locate a qualified Yervoy prescriber:

• MedFinder — Use medfinder.com to search for doctors and infusion centers that carry Yervoy in your area.
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) — Their "Find a Cancer Doctor" tool at cancer.net lets you search for board-certified oncologists by location and specialty.
• National Cancer Institute (NCI) — The NCI maintains a directory of NCI-designated cancer centers, which are among the best in the country for immunotherapy treatment.
• Your insurance provider's website — Most insurers have online directories where you can filter by specialty and network status.

Questions to Ask Your Potential Doctor

When you meet with a new oncologist, come prepared with questions:

• How many patients have you treated with Yervoy?
• Will I receive Yervoy alone or in combination with another drug like nivolumab?
• What is the treatment schedule? (For melanoma monotherapy, it is typically 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks for 4 doses.)
• How do you monitor for drug interactions and immune-related side effects?
• What happens if I experience a severe reaction between appointments?
• Does your office help with financial assistance or insurance authorization?

What If There Are No Specialists Near You?

If you live in a rural area or a region with limited oncology services, you still have options:

• Academic medical centers. Even if they are a few hours away, major teaching hospitals often have the most experienced immunotherapy teams.
• Telemedicine consultations. While Yervoy itself must be administered in person, some oncologists offer telemedicine appointments for initial consultations, follow-ups, and treatment planning.
• Community oncology with remote oversight. Some patients receive infusions at a local center while their treatment plan is managed by a specialist at a larger hospital.
• Clinical trials. The NCI and clinicaltrials.gov list active Yervoy trials that may be available at centers near you, sometimes covering treatment costs.

Understanding the Cost Before You Start

Yervoy is an expensive medication. A single 200 mg vial can cost over $35,000, and a full course of treatment for melanoma (4 doses) may exceed $120,000. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor's office about:

• Insurance pre-authorization requirements
• The Bristol Myers Squibb Co-Pay Assistance Program for commercially insured patients
• The BMS Patient Assistance Foundation for uninsured patients (1-800-736-0003 or bmspaf.org)
• Additional support through the PAN Foundation, NeedyMeds, and RxAssist

Having a clear picture of costs before treatment begins can prevent financial surprises down the road.

Next Steps

Finding the right doctor is one of the most important steps in your Yervoy treatment journey. Start by talking to your primary care provider, research oncologists in your area, and don't hesitate to reach out to support programs for help.

For more information about Yervoy, read our guides on what Yervoy is and how it's used, how Yervoy works, and how to find Yervoy in stock near you.